Many Salem County towns calling for voluntary evacuations as Hurricane Irene nears

A number of towns are making preparations and have issued calls for voluntary evacuations as Hurricane Irene makes its way into the area.

Residents choosing to evacuate are encouraged to seek shelter with family or friends in a safe area first. For those with no other options for shelter, the county is utilizing the American Red Cross to open up two mass care shelters at Salem Community College in Carneys Point Township and at the Arthur P. Schalick High School in Pittsgrove Township.

Salem County will have two shelters open for those who must evacuate.

The following towns are among the highest risks in the county and have issued voluntary evacuations:

• CARNEYS POINT/PENNS GROVE — Residents in Carneys Point Township and Penns Grove have been issued a voluntary evacuation, specifically for those located west of U.S. Route 130 toward the Delaware River.“We are strongly suggesting a voluntary evacuation of everyone west of Route 130 to the river in both Penns Grove and Carneys Point,” said Carneys Point Mayor Wayne Pelura. “We’re expecting the river to breech the sea wall, and we’re worried about a storm surge and the tide.”Penns Grove Mayor John Washington said while the evacuation is not mandatory at this time, residents in low-lying flood prone areas should make their way out of the area as soon as possible.“At latest by Saturday morning people need to make their way out of there,” said Washington.

• ELSINBORO — Mayor Sean Elwell has issued a voluntary evacuation for township residents beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.“We have had numerous discussions with local and county emergency management officials and felt that suggesting and encouraging residents to evacuate was in the best interest of the residents. We are monitoring the progress of the storm and continuing to prepare for a worst-case scenario,” said Elwell.Residents who choose to evacuate are asked to place the yellow “notified” placard from the PSEG calendar on their doors or a note on their doors to signify to emergency responders they have evacuated. Municipal officials are also asking that residents evacuating call the emergency management building at (856) 935-2200 and leave a message indicating they have left the area.Residents with special needs requiring assistance or who have a question may contact Mayor Elwell at (856) 935-2200.“Residents are asked to secure their properties and homes to the best of their abilities. Our ultimate goal is to protect the municipality to our best ability and keep everyone safe,” Elwell said.

• LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK — Residents in LAC are also being asked to voluntarily evacuate, or if they wish to stay, to secure themselves indoors.“We’re asking people in our low-lying areas to leave,” said Mayor Ellen Pompper. “Other than that, sit tight in the house because we get a lot of tidal flooding in our area.”Pompper said the township has been actively preparing by pulling boards out of their sluice gates to allow water to drain, and by readying their emergency trucks.“We’re trying our best to be prepared,” said the mayor.

• PENNSVILLE — Those in flood prone areas of Pennsville Township are encouraged to voluntarily evacuate, especially those east of Hook Road in the Salem Creek and Mannington Meadow areas, and in parts of Penn Beach.“People on that side of Hook Road and in low-lying areas should try seeking shelter with relatives or friends prior to the hurricane’s arrival,” said Pat McCaffery, emergency management coordinator for the township. “Those in vulnerable areas should keep an eye on the weather and remain vigilant. If you can leave, then you should leave; if not, watch the tide and the water and get out if things start looking bad.”McCaffery reminded residents who evacuate to remember to take things out of their yard that could get picked up by wind, and to secure their homes before leaving.

• PITTSGROVE — Pittsgrove Township has not declared a voluntary evacuation, but has taken a number of precautions as the township continues to recover from damage done to roads, dams and bridges by rain and flooding brought by storms on Aug. 14.Mayor Linda DuBois said the township is now preparing for the coming hurricane by working in conjunction with county officials to make sure local dams are cleared of debris, and to make sure further issues won’t arise with township lakes.They have also been in touch with the American Red Cross to establish Schalick High School as an evacuation site, if such a need arises, said the mayor.Still, DuBois said the township is hoping for the best.“With any luck this will be a very boring weekend and this will have all been overkill,” she said.

• SALEM — The public works department has been diligently working ensuring that the city’s storm drains are cleared of debris, and will have manpower available to clear debris from the roadways if necessary, said Salem City Police Chief John Pelura III.Pumps have been placed in service to assist in the removal of large bodies of standing water should it become an issue. The Salem Fire Department and Fenwick Community Ambulance will have staff on station. The police department is prepared for traffic diversion if necessary and handle all other emergencies, said Pelura.Those wishing to voluntarily evacuate are urged to stay with friends outside of the affected area. If someone wants to evacuate and has no transportation, they can call (856) 935-0059 ext. 0 and leave a message with their information.

• WOODSTOWN — According to Borough Councilman David Layton, Emergency Management requested Woodstown to drain Memorial Lake in preparation for the storm.This will allow the water level to drop so the lake can handle the expected heavy runoff from upstream when the storm hits.Layton said the borough is fully prepared and there are extra patrolmen and extra public works for the weekend for cleaning up storm damage.The SCC shelter opened at 5 p.m. Friday and can hold roughly 800 people. The Schalick High School shelter is expected to open sometime this morning and can hold roughly 300 people.

Cots and blankets are being delivered to the locations. As details are finalized for locations, the county will again provide information through the reverse 9-1-1 system and local media and emergency organizations.

Officials urge that non-emergency phone calls be avoided so phone lines are available for emergencies.